Fishing the NL East: Bryce Harper Injures Dodger Stadium’s Wall; Wall Out 2 Weeks

May 16, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) walks to the plate for his at bat during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The National League East has always been one of the more competitive division in all of baseball. The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies have been perennial contenders over the past few seasons. The Washington Nationals are the new kids on the block with a roster heavy in talent. Finally, the New York Mets and Miami Marlins flip-flop between last place from season-to-season, though the Marlins have held that distinction for the past year and a half.

Let’s take a moment today to get caught up with all of the latest news from our NL East foes:

Atlanta Braves

Can BJ Upton Turn Things Around? | Tomahawk Take

I’ve been as critical as anyone of BJ Upton, and critical of the Braves organization for going after him at such a high price tag, when his career numbers don’t suggest to me that he was worth what he’s being paid.  We all know the downside, and the negatives.  BJ has a career BA of just .251, and the last time that he hit for that average was 2008 when he hit for a .273 average.

Braves’ Venters Undergoes 2nd Tommy John Surgery | CBS Atlanta

Atlanta Braves reliever Jonny Venters has undergone the second major elbow operation of his career and will miss the rest of the season.

Jason Heyward goes 2-for-4 in return | ESPN

Braves right fielder Jason Heyward was activated from the disabled list and started against the Dodgers on Friday night, giving manager Fredi Gonzalez his full projected lineup for the first time this season.

Washington Nationals

Bryce Harper sustained an injury crashing into the wall in Dodger Stadium on Monday evening. Here is a video of the injury. (skip to the 21 second mark to see the injury)

Bryce Harper Avoids Concussion, DL After Scary Collision With Wall | District on Deck

During yesterday’s 6-2 win in LA, Bryce Harper crashed into the right field wall chasing after what would become a triple by A.J. Ellis. He was briefly motionless on the ground, but stood up under his own power shortly thereafter. However, he was bloody, especially around his neck, when he stood up. He left the game, replaced by Roger Bernadina. Now, the Nationals’ official Twitter reports that Harper has received eleven stitches..

Inside The Numbers: Bryce Harper’s (Near) Perfect Season | All Over the Hill

Bryce Harper lead the Washington Nationals to a commanding 8-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds tonight, smashing a towering 434-foot homerun en route to a 2 for 3 night with a walk. Just a typical night for the slugger. After setting the bar high with two multi-homer games and an astounding 11 multi-hit performances in just twice that number of games, Harper has made it difficult for himself to excite fans with stellar nights anymore; they just expect it. But in a season where the Nats, predicted by many to win the World Series, have already been labeled choke-artists after an 11-11 start, what Harper is truly doing is being overlooked.

Philadelphia Phillies

Top 5 Worst Philadelphia Phillies Free-Agent Signings | Yahoo!

The Philadelphia Phillies have had mixed results with free agency since it all started in 1976. First baseman Richie Hebner was their first significant signing in December of that year. Pete Rose was their best in December 1978.

Jimmy Rollins Acknowledges Cruel, Finite Nature Of Time | That Balls Outta Here

Todd Zolecki really dug into Jimmy Rollins’ memories and nostalgia today, and offered a dystopian view of the future.

Phillies Team Doctor Chooses Words On Roy Halladay Very, Very Carefully | That Balls Outta Here

Roy Halladay’s surgery is over, and the incredibly intense recovery process is underway.

That leaves things up to Phillies head trainer Dr. Michael Ciccotti, who has the unenviable task of relaying information to a ravenous public over the course of the next few weeks.

New York Mets

The Importance Of Jonathon Niese And Shaun Marcum | Rising Apple

Allow me to preface this with the following: regardless of how well both Jonathon Niese and Shaun Marcum perform for the remainder of the season, I don’t expect the Mets to completely erase the damage they’ve done to their record and have a miraculous run.  It’s not out of the realm of possibility, but it appears this team simply has too many holes to seriously compete.

It’s Time For Ike Davis To Go To Vegas | Rising Apple

Ike Davis came into tonight’s game with a .169 batting average.  Including tonight’s game he has struck out in all but three games in May.  It has gotten to the point where I am happy to see him make contact, even if it is a soft groundout to the second baseman, as it often is.  Davis went through a similar slump to start last season and worked out of it in the Major Leagues.  This year the Mets cannot wait for that to happen.

Ike Davis demotion talk intensifying | ESPN

Although Ike Davis snapped an 0-for-24 skid Friday in a 3-2 win against the Chicago Cubs, the internal discussion about potentially demoting the first baseman has only intensified, ESPNNewYork.com has learned.